Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner has supported a new pledge to put people, who suffer antisocial behaviour (ASB) at the centre of efforts to stamp it out.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke has signed the ASB PLEDGE, which makes a strong commitment to victims.
Cleveland PCC backed the pledge at a launch in Middlesbrough’s Albert Park. He was accompanied by Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Community Safety Cllr Janet Thompson.
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “I welcome Middlesbrough Council’s sign up to the ASB Help PLEDGE.
“It shows Middlesbrough’s commitment to using best practice to combat ASB in our communities.
“ASB is a blight on our communities – and potentially the problem, which residents and businesses have complained to me about most during my time as PCC.
“I would urge other responsible authorities to follow Middlesbrough’s lead and sign the PLEDGE. It shows they are serious about tackling ASB now and deterring such behaviour in future.”
ASB Case Review
the ASB Case Review has now replaced Community Trigger
The Review enables victims to request that local partner agencies work together to resolve the issues. It also gives the victim a voice within the process.
Anyone, who has experienced antisocial behaviour can ask for a case review as long as they meet the criteria.
Criteria includes reporting related incidents to Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Police or a housing provider three or more times within six months and where previous actions have not yet resolved the issue.
The multi-agency panel will convene. It will be chaired by an independent professional who makes recommendations for actions to the agencies involved.
Harvinder Saimbi, ASB Help’s Chief Executive Officer joined the mayor, PCC and Cllr Thompson for the Albert Park signing.
She said: “ASB Help introduced the PLEDGE to drive consistency, accessibility and best practice in relation to the ASB Case Review, ensuring the victim is placed at the heart of the process.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Middlesborough Borough Council to develop their procedures and demonstrate their commitment to ASB victims.”
Mayor Chris Cooke saids “It’s really important that communities know how to escalate problems in a timely fashion.
“This pledge commits to informing residents of their rights around Anti-Social Behaviour Case Reviews, previously known as the Community Trigger.”
ASB PLEDGE
The PLEDGE was set up by national charity ASB Help. It works to aid victims with information and advice as well as supporting practitioners in improving their service delivery. The acronym stands for:
Promote awareness: Residents need to be aware of its existence. Resolve recently commissioned a YouGov Survey which found that only 6% of respondents had heard of the ASB Case Review.
Legislation and Best Practice: It is vital that organisations comply with the legislation and the ASB statutory guidance
Easily Accessible: There should be multiple ways of making a ASB Case Review application, in writing, online, over the telephone, completion of a form, via a postal address, email address for example.
Development and Continuous Improvement
Get talking: Talking with the victim is paramount. The victim should be kept informed throughout the whole of the ASB Case Review Process. Likewise, it’s important to work in partnership with all the relevant agencies and develop a multi-agency problem solving action plan to address the ongoing ASB.
Empowerment: The ASB Case Review was introduced into legislation to give victims a voice and for them to be actively listened to. This is integral to the ASB Case Review Process.
For more information and advice regarding the ASB PLEDGE visit www.asbhelp.co.uk.